Two of a Kind (Fool's Gold #11)(73)

She made it clear she was interested in him and listened to what he was trying to say. She was logical in a way his mom hadn’t been. He didn’t think he could freak her out about anything.

“She’s learning to bake,” he said. “It’s pretty funny. Everything is so precise with her. She measures exactly. My mom just threw stuff in a bowl and it always came out great. With Felicia, we follow the recipe.” He reached for another handful of popcorn.

“My grandma is determined to get my dad and Uncle Ford married,” Reese said. “Last month she had a booth at a festival. She’s got all these applications and wants my dad to start calling the women she’s picked.”

Carter stared at him. “No way. Is your dad pissed?”

“Kinda, but he doesn’t want to say anything. I told her I’d check out the ladies ahead of time, but she didn’t like that idea.”

“You think your dad will start dating?” Carter asked.

“He said he would. It’s time. Mom’s not coming back, and I like the idea of a stepmom.”

Carter grinned. “You like the idea of someone cooking and doing your laundry.”

Reese chuckled. “Sure. Why not? Plus, she’ll want to show I’m important, so she’ll buy me presents.”

Carter laughed with his friend, but knew his needs were different. He wanted Gideon and Felicia to stay together permanently, so they could be a family. Right now, they could walk away from each other at any second.

“I need a plan to get Gideon to marry Felicia,” he announced.

Reese shook his head. “You’re not going to make that happen, bro. They’re adults. We’re thirteen. What do we know about getting people together? Your mom was single your whole life, and my mom walked out on my dad. It’s not like we’ve seen it happen and can follow the steps.” He held out a hand. “Don’t say you’re going to find something on the internet. It’s not that simple.”

“So how does it happen? People meet, they start dating, they fall in love.”

“Gideon and Felicia are already living together. They don’t have to date.”

Carter saw his point. But he was pretty sure most couples lived together because they were in love, or something close. Felicia had moved in because of him. He was in the middle of what they were doing.

“They should have a date night,” he said, wondering how he was going to make that happen. “I could tell Gideon that Felicia deserves a night out after everything she’s been doing.”

“You think he’ll fall for that?”

“Maybe. If I mention the baking. I can stay here that night and then they’ll be alone and it can be romantic.”

“You think they’re doing it?” Reese asked.

Carter punched him in the arm. “We can’t talk about that. It would be like your dad and some girl.”

Reese shuddered. “Okay, you’re right. I don’t want to go there. Old people shouldn’t do that sort of thing.”

Carter understood his friend being grossed out, but as far as he was concerned, Gideon and Felicia should be getting it on. They should be together in other ways, too. From what he could tell, marriage was like a team. He needed to get them on the same side. It would move them closer to falling in love with each other and getting married. Once that happened, he would have a permanent home and not have to worry anymore.

* * *

“THIS IS NICE,” Felicia said as she and Gideon walked into Angelo’s. The Italian restaurant was crowded on a Friday night, but the hostess smiled at them and said she had their reservation.

“Inside or out?” Gideon asked, putting his hand on the small of Felicia’s back.

“Out,” she told him.

They were shown to a table on the patio. Although there were plenty of other people around, the strategic placement of plants provided the illusion of privacy.

She and Gideon sat across from each other. The hostess put menus in front of them, then left.

Gideon leaned toward her. “You look great. Did I mention that?”

“No, but thank you for the compliment. You look great, as well.”

He chuckled. “Thanks. Carter helped me pick out my clothes.”

Which explained the black shirt and black jeans, Felicia thought. Gideon wasn’t usually that formal or into dark clothing.

“He made me try on a bunch of shirts,” Gideon told her. “He’s a stern taskmaster.”

He sounded relaxed as he spoke, as if the idea of a son was no longer so startling. They were all settling in, she thought happily. Finding their way.

“How was your bike-riding this afternoon?” she asked.

Gideon and Carter had started riding bikes together, after camp. They were generally gone about a half hour while she started dinner. Then Carter set the table while Gideon pretended to help in the kitchen. Their own ritual, she thought fondly.

“Good. He’s enjoying camp and has made a lot of friends. He and Reese Hendrix seem to be getting close.”

“I’m glad. Ford is sometimes frustrated by his family, but from all he’s said, they’re loving and supportive. They’ll draw Carter in and give him a sense of belonging.”

Gideon’s expression tightened, then he relaxed.

“What?” she asked.